New board member for local nonprofit

Gihan Oraby joins Dreamgirls Initiative leadership

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Gihan (Gigi) Oraby

NEWTON — The DreamGirls Initiative is pleased to announce their newest board member, Gihan (Gigi) Oraby. With both her technical and leadership backgrounds, Oraby brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm that will support The DreamGirls Initiative as their STEM outreach programming expands nationally.

Oraby graduated from Rutgers University in 2002 with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering. She is a civilian with the Department of the Army at the Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC), located at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ. During her career, she has grown from hands-on engineering to managing over 100 engineers and scientists working on armament programs. She is heavily involved in STEM activities outside of work as she has coached her daughter's First Lego Robotics team, guest lectured at Sparta's high school on engineering, runs Introduce a Girl to Engineering Events, and is also President of the Picatinny Chapter of Women in Defense.

Not only is developing the love of STEM within young girls important to her, but she is also part of ARDEC's Diversity Advisory Council (ADAC) which works diligently to promote and improve diversity awareness at ARDEC by providing Sensitivity Awareness, Mentoring, and Community Outreach. Promoting diversity in all aspects leads to a more cohesive and open minded work space which allows for a greater flow of knowledge. In addition to a Masters in Engineering Management from NJIT, Gigi also holds advanced credentials from University of Pennsylvania Certificate in Leadership Dynamics and a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma.

Says Oraby, “Being part of the DreamGirls Initiative is important to me because diversity in all aspects is important - not just gender and race, but also the different aspects of STEM that can be utilized to make the world we live in a better place. We have to show girls that this 'engineering and science' is not only for their surroundings, but also for them! How does STEM interact with their everyday life? I want to drive home that you can be part of putting together the next unbreakable phone or the best pigmented makeup. Young girls need to know that using their mind is their GREATEST asset. So let's teach how attractive a smart mind is and how far it can truly take them!"

The DreamGirls Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to closing the gender gap in STEM careers. DreamGirls runs hands-on programs aimed at middle school girls which showcase female role models in impactful careers. DreamGirls next Dream Day workshop is scheduled for September 30, 2017 in Newton. Follow The DreamGirls Initiative’s Facebook page or email dreamsneeddoing@gmail.com for more information.

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